Internal-combustion engine.



7 SHEETS-SHEETv I.

'ma' Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

. l. 455199512 AWNNS 1 L. a.; 1 1 .1

G1R. LAWRENCE.

' INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FYILED APR.21 116,419. v

E QM.

G. R. LAWRENCE. INTERNAL COMBUSTION YENGINE.-

APPYLICATION FILED APR.2I. 1913.

Patented Nov. 16, l1915.

'SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Lmw.

G.R. LAWRENCE. INTERNAL CIOMBUSTIUN ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APlLzx, 1913*. l l

Patented Nov. 16,19l5.

` mmm 7 SHEETS-SHEET3.

`G. R. LAWRENCE.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPUCATION FILED APR. 2|. |913. l l 60,41 9 Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

, 7 SHEETS-SHEET 4 @im W G. R. LAWRENCE.'

INTERNAL comusloN ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2 l. 1913.

Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

7SHEETS-SHEET 54 G. R. LAWRENCE.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION man APR.21.1913.

Patented Nov. 16, 19l5.

,7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

G. R. L/\vvm-:r\1 c5l INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGjNE.

- APPLICATION FILED APR.2I. 1913. 1,160,419. Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

TSHEETS-SHEET 7.

narran sra'rns OFFICE.

INTERNALCOMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specification Vvof Letters Patent.

Application led April 21, 1913. Serial N o. 762,697. L

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE R. LAWRENCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Internal-Combustion Engines, and declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which 'it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to internalcombustion engines and has for its object to provide an improved method and apparatus for generatingpower.

T he various features of novelty whereby my vinvention is characterized will hereinafter be pointed out with particularity in the claims; but,l for a full understanding of my invention and of its object and advantages, including the object heretofore specified as well as others, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: y

Figure lis a view partly in side elevation and partly in section of an engine arranged in accordance with one formof my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the engine shown in Fig. 1'; Fig. is' a section taken approximately on line v3 3 of Fig. 1

or on line 3 3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4. is a sectiontaken approximately on line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section on line 5 5 of Fig. 2;

Fig.. 6 is a section on line 6 6 of Fig. 1,-being substantially a plan view of the, fuelpump andv change-controlling valve; Fig, 7 is a section taken approximately on line 7 7 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a section taken approximately on line 8 8of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is asection taken approximately on line 9 9 of Fig.' 6; Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a portion of an engine arranged in accordance with a different form of my invention; Fig. 11J `is an end view looking toward the.

left from the right hand end o f Fig. 10; Fig. 12 is a section taken approximately on line 12 12 of Fig. 11'7 showing one endy of the engine only; Fig. -13 is 'a view on an. enlarged scale partly inl side elevation and partly in section, of the valve mechanism l associated with one of the cylinders of the engine shown in Fig. lll", 14C is a sec-v tion taken approximately on line 1& 14 of Flgi135 Fig. l5 is a section taken approximately on line 15 15 o'f Fig. 13.

In the drawings I have illustrated two forms of my invention, -each illustrating an engmehavmg three cylinders and, for" the sake of clearness and brevity, I shall confine the. detailed description to the three cylinder engine although the invention is of course not confined to'engines having any particular numberv of cylinders.

Referring to the first nine figures of the drawlngs, 1, 2 and 3 represent the three Patented NOV. I6, 1915;.

cylinders of an internal combustion engine mounted upon a suitable structure, 4, which constitutes a combined snpporting frame and ,crank case. The cylinders are con- .veniently mounted by screwing 1them into the top of the crank case, providing them with annular shoulders, 5, which will engage with the top of the 'crank case and determine the vertical positions of the cylinders. In the crank: case is 'mounted a suitable crank shaft to which the several pistons' 7, (of which only -one is shown) are suitably connected. y I

The walls of the cylinders `are made thin and are provided on the exterior with av number of'thin annular ribs or veins, 8. Each cylinder is partially surrounded by a suitable casing-9, the casings being Vcontinuous except that each has va section' removed down one side so as to expose a portion of each of the ribs or. veins on that cylinder. In the arrangement shown, theopening 10 of the casingv for the intermediate cylinder is arrangedat one side of the Aengine while the corresponding openings inthe other two casings, as will be seen from Figs. 1 andV 3,

are arranged on'the Vsame'sideof the engine but angularly disposed in opposite directions relative to the openingin the casing-for the intermediate cylinder. On the opposite side offthe engine the several casings are con- 'nected toa manifold, 11,-from whichleads a conduit, 12, of large diameter. This conzduit, asfwill Alpest be'seen from Figs.' 2 .and 5,

leads into one side of a cylindrical blower or compressor casing 13 'mounted at one 'end of the engine and surrounding the-crank shaft. Fromanother point on the-blower y casing leads a conduit, 14:, which is carried up to the' top of the engine cylinders.- The V ing )upon the upper faces 'of these screw vthreaded portions are hollow hubs or bosses, 16, forming part of an elongatedcylindrieal housing, 17. The parts and 16 `may conveniently be fastened together bymeans of internally screw threaded rings,i 18, made with right and left hand threadsvmeshing with the threads on the members l'and 16. W'hen the parts are assembled the cylinders are in communication with the interior .of the housing 17.' 'If desired, the rings 18 may be provided with anges, 19, whichserve as covers for closing the'tops of the Vveasings 9 v and as added ribs or veins to the cylinders. One end of the member vljis closed in any suitable mannerfwhile the other end is con- .:Inected'to theconduit 14. 25 Within the cylindrical housingl' is revolubly fitted a long, tubular valve 20, the valvebeing'in the form of a cylindrical sleeve iitt'` within the `housing and having A ports, 21,l 22 and 23, distribuapart relative to the axis of each lying directly above one rs so that they will succeslwith ports, 24. and 26 lin and thus intermittently making and break- I ing communication between each of, the -cylinders and the interior of the sleeve. Y In the arrangementshown, the closing. of one end of the cylindrical housing isr effected by cured into one end of the sleeve 20, and hav- Vring aA portion engaging withuthe end of the housing so as to limit relative endwise move- 1 vmentsinone direction. `Upon the other end of the sleeve are -ixed two toothed collars ori-wheels, 28 and 29by means of .which the f sleeve is actuated, these` collars or wheels .abutting ,against the adjacent end of the .l vr"cylindrical housing `and coperating with the cap at theother Lend to prevent endwise `Inovements `of the sleeve in either direction. Theopen end of the sleeve lis yconnected to the end of. theconduit 14v by means of .av

suitably packed joint, 30.,;which will permit the sleeveto rotate. ,f .f

The sleeve .20,.which I shall term lthe main valve, is operated from thecrank. shaft,

inner end of ashaft, 33, 'which extends 65V through one end of the crank shaft. On

' n the form of an opennecksomewhat smaller 1n diameter than the cylinder. Ly-

osses 16. as the sleeve is rotated means of a cap, 27, screwed ory otherwise se-1 I ber 45. there being on thel crank shaft just below the f members28 and29 `two ysimilar ytoothedmembers, 31- and 32; the .member 31'jbeingthe' opposite end of the member 33 is a.v

thread, 34, having a steep pitch, and surrounding the threaded portion is a sleeve, 35, splined within the crank shaft so as to be free to move endwise therein and be held against rotation. By moving the sleeve 35 endwise in one direction or the other the shaft 33 is caused to rotate, carrying with it the toothed -member 32 and thus advancing the teeth on this member toward the corresponding teethon the member 31 or else increasing the angular distance lbetween the corresponding teeth depending upon the direction in whichthe actuating sleeve is moved.

Suitably mounted-:upon the stationary portions ofthe enginestructure are two rods, 37 and 38, the rod 3'7Alying between the toothed members 28 and 31 and serving' to transmit `motion 4from the latter to the former, and the rod 38 lyingbetween the toothed members 29 and 32 and serving in a similar manner to transmit motion from the member 32 to the member 29.' A 'suitable spring, 39, may be placed on each ofthe rods to retract the same when released from one of the Ateeth on its driving member.

The means for introducing the fuel into the lengine cylinders is as follows. Upon a stationary portion of the engine' structure and preferably in proximity to the cylinders isl mounted a combined charge-measuring and charge-admission device; The details of. this device are best shown in Figs. 6y to 9 inclusive. Referring to these figures, 40 is a suitable casting having ytherein a pump chamber, 41, into the lower endof ,which leads 'a fuel supply pipe, 42. In the lower end of the chamber is a check valve, 43. Al plunger, 44,extends into the pun'ip Chamber fromv above. In the casting" is av second chamber, 45, connectedlto 'the pump chamber at a point somewhat above the .check valve 43 bya passage, 46, containing a check valve. 475 lVith thisarrangen'ient, the pipe 42 being connected to ay 'source' of liquid fuel, the reciprocation of thepump plunger causes fuel to be drawn into the pump chamber onk one stroke and vto be 'forced out' intoth-e chamber 45 on the return'stroke. Measuredl quantities of liquid fuel are 'therefore delivered to the chamber 45 in amounts depending upon the len'gth of the stroke of the` plunger." The casting is cored out soas to provide in the same a passage, 48, extending 'transversely of and intercepting thecham'- Connected withv one. end of this )assafre is an air su 3 )lv iJe 49 while from the other end of the vpassage leads a pipe, 50. which extends to the engine cylinders as' f willl be hereinafter described. 'Extending down into' the-"chamber 45; through the top i of the casting` is a plunger, 51, which preferably has its lower end beveled on two sides So as to reduce the eXtreme lowerend toa thin edge as indicated at 52. The plunger 51 serves as a valve to shut off communication between the pipes 49 and 50 and between these pipes and the lower portion of the chamber 45. When the plunger is in the position indicated in Fig. 9 there is no communication between the pipes 49" and 50 or between these pipes and the lower portion of the chamber 45 so that any fuel which is delivered into the chamber remains there undisturbed. When'the plunger 51 is raised somewhat communication between the pipes 49 and 50 is established around the beveled under end of the plunger and through the lower portion ofthe chamber 45. Consej quently if the pipe 49 contains air under pressure this'air will rush down against the fuel lying in the'bottoniof the chamber 45, picking up the fuel and then traveling up past the opposite side of the beveled end of the plunger and into the pipe 50.

The two plungers are operated fromtlfey rods, 37 and 38 as will most clearly be seen from Figs. 1 and 2. Connected to the upper'end of the plungerl 44 is a lever, 53, hinged at one end, as at 54, to a stationary part of the enginestructure and at its opposite end overlying a pin, on the rod 37. A suitable spring, 56, tends to hold the latter end of the lever down and consequently to hold the )ump plunger in its lowermost po' sition. 1' s the rod 37 reciprocates it causes the lever 53 to oscillate and the pump to be actuated in unison therewith. AA second lever, 57, is connected to the upper end of the plunger 51, ishinged at 54 and overlies a pin, 58, on tthe rod 38. Consequently the plunger 51 is caused to reciprocate/indimson with the rod 3S.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the pipe 50 terminates ina'horizontal branch pipe, 60, connected at its ends to the two end cylinders of'the engine and at the middle tothe intermediate cylinder. At each cylini derV is a check valve, 61, which prevents pressure from the cylinder reaching the pipe. The connection between the pipe 60 and the cylinders may conveniently be through the hubs orbosses 16 on the cylindrical housing 1T, each of the hubs or bosses being pro-A Avided with a spraying head. 62, lying in the upper end of the Corresponding cylinder and adapted to spray the incoming mixture tovward the spark plug, 63, or other igniting count of the eccentricity of the structure, so

that air is delivered to the conduit 14 and consequently to the combined main valve and reservoir 20 at considerable pressure. The pipe 49 which carries air byfineans of which the fuel is injected into the cylinders is tapped into the blower casing a short distance beyond the main discharge outlet and at a point which permits a small body of compressed air to be pocketed by the oncoming vane and be carried beyond the main discharge outlet, the pressure of the air being greatly increased as the vane passes from the main outlet to the pipe 49 so that the air is delivered to the pipe 49 at a high pressure.

The air and the fuel all enter^ the cylinders at the top 4while the combustion gases and the air used for scavenging purposes leaves the cylinders at points near the bottom; each cylinder being provided. in a plane just above the top of the piston when the latter is at the limit of its downward movement with arow of exhaust ports, 67, extending en- 4the casings around the cylinders, cooling the cylinders and warming the air. The blower compresses this air and delivers it into the combined main valve and reservoir. The blower also compresses a portion of the incoming air to a still higher degree and forces it into the pipe'leading tothe fuel-measuring and injecting device. Since there are three of the vanes in the blower, corresponding in number lto the cylinders, there will be three distinct impulses of air into the fuelmeasuring and injecting device during each revolution ofthe engine, corresponding in time with the three periods during which fuel is to be injected into the cylinders. The toothed members 28 and 31 on the main valve and on the crankshaft respectivelyare so disposed that each port in the main valve is brought to register with the port in the upper end of the corresponding cylinder at just about the time the exhaust ports in that cylinder are being opened. Consequently the air which is stored up in the main valve and in the supply conduit 14 and that which is at the moment being delivered by the blower, rushes down through the cyl# inder and passes out through the exhaust ports, sweeping the cylinder clean of all 4products of combustion and, cooling the walls of the cylinder. This condition will be maintaineduntil the valve is turned far through the main valve as the .v piston ad i rately. be controlled. As the rod 37, which.

opens the main valve, moves up and down itenough to shut oii conununicationjbetween thejcylinder which has just been sca'jvenged andthe interior of the main valve.

pressed ,by the piston on its return stroke'.

Thel entire control of the main` valve might be through v the toothed 1nembersv28l and 31; but, in order that the enginev may bemade to produce any desired power and not always Abe run at full capacity, I prefer to :utilize the toothed "members 28,:and 31,'only, to bring the main valve' into its open position the movement of the valve to itsy closed positions being accomplished by means of the members 29 and 32. As heretofore eX plained, the member 32 may be angularly adjusted, thus making it possible to vary the intervals between the opening impulses and the closing impulses imposed on the main.y valve. In other words, the main valve may be closed as soon as a piston starts on its compression stroke, thus leavingv the whole cylinder full of air to bey compressed; or, if desired, the main valvemay be left open uritil the piston has returned to any predetermined point on its return stroke so that some of the air in the cylinder will be forced back vances and, -when the main valve finally closes, there will be less air `in the cylinder to be compressed than where the main valve is closed at the beginning of the stroke. In this way' the power of the engine may accuactuates the pump plunger 44 so as to suplply regularly measured quantities of fuel chamber inthe measuring andinjecting ylevice, pick up the fuel contained 1n the chamber and carry it through the pipe 50 intothe cylinder which has just'been scavenged and illed with fresh air. l l

7,lVhenever an adjustment is made to vary the amount of fresh air left in axcylinder Y to -be compressed, it is desirableK to yreduce the amount of'combustible proportionately in order that the` cylinder mayalways kbe charged with thebest mixture to `secure ethciency and economy. This may conveniently' be accomplished bylproviding means' for adjusting the stroks vof the plunger of the pump and `at the'same time that an adjustment of the closing means'for the main valve is made. In the arrangement shown, the member 32 of the closing mechanism for the mainr valve` isadjustedjby means of a Th'falr contained in the cylinder will now beconi'.

lsuitable lever, 7D, connected to the actuatf` 1ing sleeve, 35. Connected to the levers-'2:70,'

is another lever, '71 having a wedgeb'lock, 72, lyingin position to engagewith-"the under side ofthe bent end 74 of the-lever 53 by means of which,.,the pump plunger is operated.v The downward movement of the pump plungerislimited by the wedge block 72. By properly arranging the parts, the wedge block ispushed beneath th free: end

of the `lever 53 wheneverjanA adjustment of the main 'valvelclosing mechanismlis made to shorten the'downward stroke of the pump plunger just 'enough to reduce the amount of fuel supplied in the same proportion that the amount of air which is to be compressed n in a cylinder is reduced, or is withdrawn far enough to increase the* amount'of fuel in proportion tothe amount of air. j

In Figs. 10 to 15 I have illustrated a modiiedarrangement which is perhaps bet- Y ter adaptedlfor engines intended' to nun at a` high speed than the other form. 'The main portions of the engine are the same in both forms, the difference lying simply in the valve construction and the details `of the fuel injecting means. Above the several cylinders is a fcylindrical housing, 80, cor*- t responding jtothe housing y17 and within" .this housing isl avcylindrical valve, 81,'having a port-for each of the cylinders. The tubular main valve is mounted within the housing sofas to have both rotary and an endwise movement. The ports 82 are made Haring, being widerat one end than at the other and being longer than the ports 33y which connect the interior of thel housing -with the upper ends of thecylinders. The

opening and closing of communication'bel 4tween the interior ofthe' mainvalve'and the cylinders is `edected by rotating the main valve while the length of time during which this communication is maintained is determined by the endwise position of the main valve; this period being lthe smallest when outwardly-projecting shaft, 84, lupon `which is slidably mounted a sprocket wheel, 85, the

sprocket wheel being obliged to rotate with theshaft. On the sprocket wheel 'is a hub having an annularigroove,86,'into which extend the arms ofl a fork, 87, secured to .some stationary part of the engine struc;-` ture. Around the sprocket wheel 85 extends a sprocket chain, 88, which Iin turnpasses v over the sprocket wheel, 89, ony the lmain 'crank shaft. With this arrangement the shaft 8 4: and the main valve may bedriven 110 the endwise position of the mainv valve is such asy to bring the narrowest portions of the ports .thereinover the ports leading to `the, cylinders andbeing greatest fwhenfthe: .n wide ends of thel ports ,in the main 4valve are above the` ports leading to the cylinders. kQn the closed end of the main valve is 'an directly from theg main crank shaft 4whileat v180 I valve may be movedl'endwise without dis- Aturbing the idriving connection.

' The fuel is admitted to the cylinders through a hollow cylindrical valve, 90,1whie'h is journaled in bosses, 91, projecting from oney side of the housing 80, each boss being above one of the cylinders and having therein aport, 92, leading down into the top of the cylinder.v The fuel valve has therein ports, 93, adapted to register one after the ,other with the ports leading into the corres the path of the port in the fuelvalve.

' spending cylinders. One end of the hollow fuel valve is closed while the other end is in open communication with the air supply pipe, 19, which conveys the small charges of highly compressed air from the fan. The fuel ,valve is actuated from the shaft 84 through a worm, 94, on the latter shaft meshing with a worm wheel, 95, on the closed end ofy thegfuel valve, so that when the main 'vfaflve fis operated, the fuel valve is a-lso operf-ated in proper time relation thereto. each of the bosses 91 is a pump chamber, 96,

into which leads a branch pipe, 97, from the mainfuel supply pipe 42. In the lower end of the pump ychamber is a check valve, 98,

mand projecting out of the top of the chamlber is a plunger, 99. 'A passage, 100, containing a check valve, 101, leads from the lower portion of each pump chamber to the interior of the corresponding boss or bushing, communicating therewith'at a point Oin n the upper end of each pump plunger is a v head, 102, and beneath this head is a spring,

103, which serves to raise the plunger. The

' pump plungers are moved down by means of buttons.; 104, projecting from the periphery of the fuel valve, each in position to engage one of the pump plungers at one point in the rotation of the fuel valve. The parts are so arranged that each pump plunger is forced down while the corresponding port in the fuel valve lies in communication with the passageway 100 leading from the pump chamber and consequently a charge of fuel will be pumped up through the passage 100 and will lie in the pocket or recess formed by the port 93. Then as the fuel valve moves around until it brings its port into registration with the port leading into the cylinder, the inrushing air from the pipe 49 blows the fuel into the cylinder in the form of a fine spray. In order to increase the spraying action, I prefer to shapethe ports 92 which lead into the cylinders so that they become gradually larger as the cylinders are apy l., p'roaclied and make them terminate in spray- 6O" l nular flange, 10T, at some ldistance removed 'two flanges and thus the combustible is blown against and along thehot surfaces of the flanges so that not only is the combustible divided into a fine s ray but it is also largely vaporized and t erefore easily ignited. u IVlien the main valve is moved lengthwise in order to lengthen the period during which the main supply of fresh air is in open communication with the cylinders it is also desirable to shift the position of the fuel valve so that the fuel will be injected just after the main air supply is cut olf. I accomplish this by making one of the long sides of each of the flaring ports 82 in the main valve straight and arranging the opposite side, 110, at an angle corresponding to the angle of the thread on the wo'rm 94. Consequently when the main` valve is shifted lengthwise, the fuel valve is turned through a sufficient angle tor compensate for the increased or diminshed effective width of the ports in the main valve. Furthermore, in order to regulate the supply of fuel in proportion to the volume of the main air charge, I connect with the shaft 84 a cam rod, 111, having therein a cam, 112, lying above each ofthe heads 102 on the pump plungers. These cams limit the upward movement of the pump plungers and `consequently the stroke of the pump plungers depends upon the positions of the cams, that is upon the position of the main valve considered in its endwise relation.

In this form of my invention, as in the other, there is thorough scavenging of the engine cylinders; the power mayV be nicely regulated by varying the volume of air which is compressed; the fuel iselfectively regulated so as always to' maintain the proper mixture in the cylinders; the engine remains cool and runs smoothly; there are no delicate parts apt to .get out of order; and, in addition, the incoming fuel is vaporized so that the charge will ignite readily, even when distillates or kerosene are used.

If desired there may be placed on the upper face of the piston a materialof relatively poor conductivity in order' that the heat will not be transmitted so readily to the piston. This may be accomplishedv by placing on the face of the piston a sheet of steel or, preferably as shown in the drawing. a layer of steel, 120, separated from the body o-f the piston by a layer of mica or other material having low heat conductivity and heat-resisting qualities. I also prefer to make the upper face of the piston concave the surface of the cylinder walls exposed to the heat.

I claim:

l. In combination, a combustion cylinder having air and fuel ports, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder toward and away from the said ports, means controlling the said ports operating to close thel air pori?, at a selected variable point in the movement of the piston toward the ports and to open the fuel port at a point in themovement of the piston which varies as the time of closing the air port is varied, means for delivering fuel to the said fuel port including a plunger operating to draw the amount of fuel required ,for a singlel charge at each stroke, and means for varying the stroke of the plunger in accordance with variations in the point in the movement of the piston at which the air port is closed.

2. In combination, a combustion cylinder having air and fuel ports, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder toward and away from the said ports, means controlling the said ports operating to close the air port at a selected variable point inthe movement of the piston toward the ports and to open the fuel port at a point in the movement of the piston which varies as the time of closing the air port is varied, and means for.

delivering a measured variable quantity of fuel to the fuel port at each cycle-of movement of the piston.

3. In combination, a combustion cylinder having air and fuel ports, a piston reciproeating within the cylinder toward and away from the said ports, means controlling the said ports operating to close the air port at a selected variable point in the movement of the piston toward the ports and to open the fuel port at a point in the movement of the piston which varies as the time of closing the air port is varied, means for delivering a measured quantity of fuel to the fuel port at each cycle of movement of the piston, and means for adjusting the said fueldelivering means to varythe quantity .of fuel delivered in accordance with variations in the point in the movement of the piston at which the air port is closed.

4. In combination, a combustion cylinder having a port, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder toward and away from saidl port, a blower connected with the said port having acapacity sulicient to deliver to the cylinder during each stroke of the `piston therein a quantity of air greatly in excess of the capacity of the cylinder, means controlling the said portoperating t close the port at a selected variable point in the movement of the piston, and mea-ns for introducing fuel into the cylinder.

5. In' combination, acombustion cylinder having air and fuel ports, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder toward and away from the said ports, and means controlling the said ports operating to close the air port at a selected variable point in the movement of the piston toward the ports and to open the fuel port at a point in the move-l ment ofthe piston which varies' as the time of closing the aia` port is varied.

6. In combination, a combustion cylinder, a piston reciprocating within the` cylinder, means for delivering fuel to the cylinder at a selected variable point in the movement of the piston, said means including a plunger operating to draw the amount of fuel required for a single charge at eachstroke, and means for varying the stroke of the said plunger in accordance with `variations inthe point in the movement of the piston at which the fuel is delivered to the cylinder.

7. In a two-cycle internal combustion engine, an engine cylinder, a source of air under pressure, means for opening communication between #said source and-said cylinder at a predetermined point in the cycley of the engineand interrupting such communication at a selected variable point inY the cycle, and means for introducing into the cylinder fuel in measured quantities varying from each other as the point at which interruption of the communicatin between the said source of air and the cylinder is varied. r

8. In a two-cycle internal combustion engine, an engine cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a source of air under pressure, means `for opening communication between said source and the cylinder at a predetermined point in the working stroke of the piston and interrupting such communicationat a selected variable point in thereturi'r'l stroke of the piston, and means for introducing into the cylinder fuel in measuredqua-ntities decreasing .as the period ofcommunication between the said source of air and; the cylinder on the return stroke of the piston increases. 'Q

9. In a two-cycle internal combustion engine, an engine cylinder, a source of air under pressure, means for opening communication between saidsource landfsaild cylinder at a predetermined point 'in'` the cycle ofthe engine and interrupting suc-l1 communication at a selected variable point in the 115 cycle, and means for introducing fuel into the cylinder at a point in thefcycle varying Aas the point at which interruption between der, and a connection betweensa-id .valves vas the .point in the cycle .at which the air valve is closed is varied'.

11. In a two-cycle internallcombustion engine, an'engine cylinder, a source of air under pressure, a valve between said cylinder and. saidfsource for opening communication between' the saine. at'a. fixed predeterminedy point in the.y engine cycle, 'means for adjusting said valve s0 as to cause it toclose at a. selected variable point in the cycle, adjust-l able fuel-measuringand delivering mechanism, and means associated with said valve for varying the adjustment of said mechanism as the point in the'cycle at which said valve is closed is varied.

1.2. In a two-cycle internal combustion engine, an engine cylinder,'a. source of airhaving a capacity sufficient to deliver to the cylinder during each stroke of the engine4 a quantity of air greatly in excess of the capacity of the cylinder, and means for opening communica-tion between the said source and the cylinder at a predetermined point in the cycle of the engine and interrupting such communication at a selected variable Vpoint in the1 cycle.

13. In a, two-cycle internal combustion engine, an engine cylinder, a blower arranged to, receive air from the layer immediately.

adjacent to the exterior of the engine cylin der and deliver it into the cylinder, said blower having a capacity sutiicient to deliver to the cylinder during each stroke of the engine an amount of air greatly in excess of the capacity of the cylinder, and valve mechanism between said blower and the interior of the said cylinder arranged to open'cominunication between the blower and the cylinder at a predetermined point in the cycle of the engine and interrupt such communication at a selected variable point in the cycle.

11'. In a` two-cycle internal combustion engine, a plurality of engine ucylinders, a casing surrounding the cylinders and having an inlet opening adjacent to each cylinder, a blower having its suction side connected to said casing, valve'mechanism between the discharge side of the blower and the cylinders arranged to open communication between each cylinder and the blower at a predetermined point in the working stroke and to close such communication at a sev-lected variable point in the return stroke,

the air and fuel'charges for said cylinder, each of said means including a shaft, theV shaft of the air-charge controlling vmeans being longitudinally movabie for varying the quantity ofthe air charge, and une shaft of the fuel-charge controlling means 'being angularly movable for varying the time of admission. of the fuelcharge,- and a pair of intermeshing gears having oblique teeth, one fixed upon each of said shafts.

16. In combination, a combustion cylinderfhaving an air port, a piston reciprocating within ythe lcylinder toward 'and away from its said air port, means controlling the said air port operating to close the port at a selected variable point inthe movement of lthe piston, means for injecting fuel into the cylinder at a selected variable point in the movement of the piston, and means for varying the quantity of fuel injected into the cylinder in accordance with the quantity of air remaining in the cylinder when the said air port is. closed'.4 -y l '17. In an internal combustion engine, a cylinder, a source of compressed air of constant pressure, means for charging the cylinder with variablevvolumes of compressed for introducing into the cylinder measured quantities of acombustible material proportionate to the said volumes of air.

18. In a gas engine, in combination, a combustion cylinder, av piston reciprocating within the cylinder, a source of heatedair under pressure, and means for opening communication between said source and the cylinder at a predetermined point in the movement of the piston yand interrupting such communication at a selected. variable point in the movement of the piston.

19. In combination, a. combustion cylinder having an air port, means for deliyering heated air to the said port, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder toward .and away from its said airaport, and means controlling the said -air pbit pera'ting to, close the eating within the cylinder toward and away from its said air port, means controlling the said air port` operating to close thel port at a selected variable point in the movement of the. piston, and means for injecting fuel into' the cylinder.

21. In combination, a combustion cylinder having an air port, means for delivering heated air to thel said port, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder toward and away from its said air port, means controlling the said air port operating to close the port at a selected variable point' in the movement of the piston, means for injecting fuel into the cylinder operating at a Aselected variable point in the Vmovement of the cylinder.

Q2. In combination, a combustion cylinder having an air port, means for delivering heated air tof'the saidnport, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder toward and away from its said air port, means controlling the `said air port operating to close the port at accordancewith the 'Quantity of air remaining in the cylinder when the said airport is closed.`

23. In combination, a combustion cylinder having an' air port, means for delivering heated air to the said port, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder toward and away from its said air port, means controlling the said air port operating to close thepiort at a selected variable point in the movement of the piston, means for injecting fuel into the cylinder at a selected variable point in the. movement of the piston, and meansY for varying the quantity of fuel injected into the cylinder in accordance with the quantity of air remaining in the .cylinder when the said airport is closed.

24. In a gas engine, in combination, a combustion cylinder having an air -jacket and an inlet and an exhaust port, both of which are simultaneously open during 'a part of each cycle of the engine, and a blowerhaving a capacity to deliver during the said simultaneousopening of the said inlet and exhaust ports a quantityy of air greatlyl in excess of the capacity of the said cylinder, said blower having its inlet connected with the air jacket of the cylinder and its outlet connected with the inlet port of the cylinder.

25. In combination, a combustion cylinder having an air port and an air jacket, an air Ypassage connecting the air port and jacket,

- a piston reciprocating I'within the cylinder toward and away from its said air port, a valve operating to close the port during` the movement of the piston toward the port, and an injector for forcing fuel directly into the cylinder.

26. In combination, a combustion cylinderl having inlet and exhaust ports, and an air jacket, an air 'passage connecting the air jacket and inlet port, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder and controlling the exhaust port, and means controlling the inlet portoperating to open the inlet port when the exhaust port is open and to close the inlet port at a selected variable time after the exhaust port is closed.

27. ln combination, a combustion cylinder having inlet and exhaust ports and an air jacket, an air passage connecting the air jacket and ,inlet port, a piston reciprocating within the" cylinder and controlling the; exhaust port, means controlling the inlet port operating to open the';inlet" port when the exhaust'port is open and to'v close theyinletl port at a selected variable time after the ex-k haust port is closed, and means for 'introiw' ducingfuel into the cylinder at each stroke of the piston therein.

28. In combination, a combustion cylinder having inlet and exhaust ports and an air jacket, an a1r .passage connecting the air j acket and inlet port, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder and controlling the exhaust port, means controlling the inlet port operating to open the inlet portwhen thel exhaust port is open and to close the inlet port ata selected variable time after the exhaust port isclosed, means for introducing a selected variable quantity; of fuel into the cylinder at each stroke of the, piston therein, and means for varying the quantity of fuel introduced at each vstroke of the piston in accordance with the quantity of air remaining in the cylinder when the said inlet port is closed.

29. In combina-tion, a combustion cylinder having inlet and exhaust ports, and an air jacket, an air passage connecting-the air jacket and inlet ort, a piston reciprocating within the cylin er and controlling the exhaust port,means controlling the inlet port operating to open the inlet port when the exhaust port is open and to close the inlet port at a selected variable time after the exhaust port is closed, means for introducingfuel into the cylinderat a selected' variable point in the stroke 'of the piston, and. means for varying the time at which the fuel is introduced in accordance with variations in the time when the said inlet port is closed.

30. ln combina-tion, a combustion cylinder having inlet and exhaust portsvand an ,air jacket, an air passage connecting the air jacket and inlet port, a piston reciprocating within the cylinder and controlling the exhaust port, means controlling'the inlet port operating to'open the inlet port when the exhaust port is open and to cl'osethe inlet port at a selected variable time after the exhaust port is closed, means for introducing a measured variable quantity of fuel into the point in the 'measured vvariable quantity of fuel into the cylinder through said port at a selected variable point inthe stroke of the piston.

32. ln combination,acombustion cylinder having air and'fuel -ports, a piston reciproeating Within the cylinder toward and away nfrom itsvsaid ports, means controlling the air port operatingto close the port at a selected point in the movement of the piston toward the port, means controlling the fuel successive confined charges of compressed air and fuel, each charge being formed by inftcoducing air from a source of compressed Va f .constant pressure into the place of ement, at the pressure of the source7 chiz'r'g'e, expelling a part; of such air without reduction of pressure, the amount expelled varying inversely with the power to be generated and in then injecting into the residue vo air an amount of fuel which is proportioned to the amount of such residue of air.

' 34. The method of generating regulated variable power which consists in exploding ysuccessive confined charges of compressed .heated air and fuel, each Vcharge being formed by introducing air from a source of compressed heated air of constant pressure into the place of confinement,A at the 'pressure of the source, in excess of the quanf At'lty required for the charge', expelling a part of such air without reduction yof pressure, the amount expelled varying inversely with' the power to-be generated and in then in: xcess of the quantity required for the injecting into the residue of air an amount of fuel which is proportioned tothe amount of such residue of air. v

35. The method of generating regulated variable power which consists in exploding successive confined charges of compressed air and fuel, each charge being formed by introducing air froln a source of compressed air into the place of confinement in excess of the quantity required for the charge, returning a part of such air to the source, the

amount returned varying inversely with the power to be generated and in then injecting into the residue of air an amount of fuel which is proportioned to the amount of such residue of air.

36. The method of generating regulated variablepower which consists in exploding successive confined charges of compressed heated air and fuel, each charge being formed by introducingv air from a source of compressed heated air into the plaf. of confinement in excess of the quantityrequired for the charge, returning a part of, such air tothe source, the amount returned-\varying -inversely with the power to be generated and in then injecting into the residue of air an amount of fuel which is proportioned to the amount of such residue of air.

In testimony whereof, I sign this specificationfin the presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE R. LAWRENCE.

Witnesses:

WM. F. FREUDENREICH, RUTH E. ZETTERWALL. 

